Game apparatus



July 5, 1927.

C- H. WILKINS GAME APPARATUS Filed May 1. 1926 (a-AME -'Arranerus.

' n-ApplicationfiledMayil, 1926; wserialfNo. 106,040.; v

p This invention is a novel game apparatus, and the principal-{objectthereofai's to provide a novel and simple gameapparatusin which a ball.is adapted to roll in a normally closed {casein h aving; a series ofupstanding studs therein spaced in rows at right angles to each other,the studs in each row being normally spaced aparta distance insufficientto permit the ball to pass therethrough while certain studs are omittedto permit the ball to pass from one row to another to form a labyrinthor tortuous passage containing a plurality of blind alleys; the. ob jectof the game being to roll the ball, starting from a position at thecenter of the easing, through the labyrinth and out of a hole in oneside of the casing in as short a time as possible.

I will explain the invention with refer ence to the accompanying drawingwhich illustrates one practical embodiment thereof to enable others toadopt and use the same and will summarize in the claims the novelfeatures of construction and novel combinations of parts, for whichprotection is desired.'

In said drawing i Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the complete gameapparatus. 7

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig 1.

As shown in the drawing, my novel game apparatus comprises a base 1,preferably rectangular in shape, and formed of wood or other suitablematerial. Around the edges of base 1 are side members 2, and atransparent plate 3 secured to the side members 2 in any desired mannerclosing the casing formed by said members, the transparent plate 3 beingpreferably inserted in grooves 2 in the upper inner edges of the sidemembers. In one of the side members 2 in line with the upper face ofbase 1 is a hole 2 The base 1, side members 2, and transparent members 3thus form a closed casing having a single opening 2 thereinto.

, Extendinginto the upper face of base 1 are spaced studs 4 arranged inrows disposed at right angles to each other, a ball 5 being adapted torollin the casing between the rows of spaced studs. The studs & in eachrow are normally spaced apart a distance insufficient to' permit theball 5 to pass therethrough, while certain studs are omitted to permitball 5 to pass from one row to another-,5 such ,-,a rrangement andspacing of studs forming-a.labyrinth or tortuous passagehavingaf'plurality" ofblind alleys, there be1ng,.ho\vever, at least one.continous path which thenball may follow to accomplish the desired end.In the center of the casing is an open space from whichthe ball is tostart, and the object of the game is to roll the ball, starting fromsuch open space, through the tortuous passages, and out'through theopening 2 in the side of the closed casing in as short a time aspossible.

The studs 4 extend upwardly in the easing to approximately the level ofthe trans parent :plate 3 to preventthe ball from passing over the topsof the studs to shorten the path. Also a hole '3 is preferably providedin the transparent plate 3 over the open space in the center of thestuds, whereby the ball may be returned to its starting position, afterthe game has been played.

The use of spaced pegs or studs instead of solid walls havmg openingstherein renders the game more difficult in that it is obviously lessapparent from a casual inspection of the spacing of the studs 4, thepath which the ball 5 should follow in order to roll ball 5 to the hole2 in the side of the casing, the majority of studs 4 in the rows beingspaced apart a distance insufiicient to permit the ball to rolltherethrough, While other pegs are omitted or sufficiently spaced apartto permit the ball 5 to roll from one row to another.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawing forobviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim 1. A game apparatus, comprising a casing having an opening inits side, a transparent closure for the casing having an openingtherein; and a plurality of studs in said casing arranged in rows atangles to each other, the studs in each row being n0rmally spacedrelatively close together, and some of the studs being omittedto permitaccess from one row to another; whereby at least one continuous openpassage will be provided from the opening in the closure to the openingin the side of the casing.

- 2. A game apparatus comprising a casing having an opening in one side;a transpar-- ,ent closure having an opemng at its center;

a ball; a plurality of studs in said casing 1 c ibs mi t r sms arrangedin rows at angles to each other, the studs in each row being normallyspaced an insufiicient distance apart to permit the ball to passtherethrough, and some of the studs being omitted to permit the ball topass from one row to another; whereby at least one continuous passageWill be provided for the ball from the center of the "-tlSiDL to theopening in the side thereof.

3. In a game apparatus, a casing comprising a base and side members, atransparent closure for the casing; one of said side members having anopening therein; and said transparent closure having an openingtherethrough at its center; a ball and in plurality of studs on saidbase arranged in rows at right angles to each other, the studs in eachrow being normally spaced an insufiic-ient distance apart to permit theball to pass therethrough, and some of the studs being omitted to permitthe ball to pass from one row to another; whereby at least onecontinuous passage will be provided for the ball dropped through theopening in the closure to the opening in the side thereof.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature.

CLYDE H. \VILKINS.

